EU informed by member state: "won't take migrants"
The Polish government has stated that the new EU migration pact represents a danger to national security. Read Full Article at RT.com.
TroibNews 
Poland has reiterated its opposition to the new bloc-wide policy regarding asylum seekers.
The Polish government has firmly stated its refusal to accept any relocated asylum seekers under the EU's migration pact, which it views as a threat to national security, according to Interior Minister Tomasz Siemoniak.
In May 2024, the European Parliament adopted the new EU pact on migration and asylum, which introduces a so-called solidarity mechanism intended to ensure responsibility-sharing among member states. This mechanism acknowledges that countries at the EU's external borders face a greater influx of people. Those nations that resist accepting relocated migrants are required to contribute €20,000 per person as compensation.
During an interview with the Polish radio station RadioZet on Monday, Siemoniak reaffirmed Warsaw’s stance against the pact's regulations, declaring that Poland would not fulfill the associated obligations.
“Our position is clear – we are opponents of the Migration Pact, and there is absolutely no question of any acceleration or delay,” Siemoniak asserted. “We will not accept migrants, and there will be no relocation,” he emphasized.
He also connected rising crime rates in Poland to earlier migration policies, criticizing former visa policies that facilitated uncontrolled entry into the country. Siemoniak mentioned that stricter regulations and enhanced border controls are being implemented to address security challenges.
The minister highlighted concerns regarding foreign criminal groups, especially those comprised of Georgian migrants, stressing the necessity for deportations and tougher penalties.
In 2024, the Polish government indicated its intention to suspend the right for new arrivals to claim asylum, a move that conflicts with European regulations and international law. In October, Prime Minister Donald Tusk asserted that full implementation of the EU pact poses a national security risk for Poland, given its geographical closeness to Russia and Belarus.
Since 2021, the number of migrants crossing the Belarus-Poland border has surged significantly, even as Polish authorities have constructed a border fence and carried out pushbacks of large groups. Reports indicate that around 2,500 immigrants crossed the border in September, contributing to over 26,000 crossings so far in 2024.
Foreign Minister Radoslaw Sikorski mentioned that the country is contemplating a complete closure of its border with Belarus due to a surge in Middle Eastern migrants.
Additionally, UN estimates suggest that over one million Ukrainians currently live in Poland, following the country’s decision to welcome those fleeing conflict starting in February 2022.
Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of National Defense Wladyslaw Kosiniak-Kamysz stated in a recent Financial Times interview that Poles are “fatigued” with Ukrainian refugees, partly attributing this sentiment to the visibility of young men enjoying a privileged lifestyle in Poland instead of participating in the defense of their home country.
In October, the European Commission reiterated that Poland remains obligated to the terms of the pact, despite having accommodated thousands of Ukrainian refugees. The commission underscored that Poland must either accept resettled migrants or face penalties for each individual it declines to accept.
Mathilde Moreau contributed to this report for TROIB News
The Polish government has firmly stated its refusal to accept any relocated asylum seekers under the EU's migration pact, which it views as a threat to national security, according to Interior Minister Tomasz Siemoniak.
In May 2024, the European Parliament adopted the new EU pact on migration and asylum, which introduces a so-called solidarity mechanism intended to ensure responsibility-sharing among member states. This mechanism acknowledges that countries at the EU's external borders face a greater influx of people. Those nations that resist accepting relocated migrants are required to contribute €20,000 per person as compensation.
During an interview with the Polish radio station RadioZet on Monday, Siemoniak reaffirmed Warsaw’s stance against the pact's regulations, declaring that Poland would not fulfill the associated obligations.
“Our position is clear – we are opponents of the Migration Pact, and there is absolutely no question of any acceleration or delay,” Siemoniak asserted. “We will not accept migrants, and there will be no relocation,” he emphasized.
He also connected rising crime rates in Poland to earlier migration policies, criticizing former visa policies that facilitated uncontrolled entry into the country. Siemoniak mentioned that stricter regulations and enhanced border controls are being implemented to address security challenges.
The minister highlighted concerns regarding foreign criminal groups, especially those comprised of Georgian migrants, stressing the necessity for deportations and tougher penalties.
In 2024, the Polish government indicated its intention to suspend the right for new arrivals to claim asylum, a move that conflicts with European regulations and international law. In October, Prime Minister Donald Tusk asserted that full implementation of the EU pact poses a national security risk for Poland, given its geographical closeness to Russia and Belarus.
Since 2021, the number of migrants crossing the Belarus-Poland border has surged significantly, even as Polish authorities have constructed a border fence and carried out pushbacks of large groups. Reports indicate that around 2,500 immigrants crossed the border in September, contributing to over 26,000 crossings so far in 2024.
Foreign Minister Radoslaw Sikorski mentioned that the country is contemplating a complete closure of its border with Belarus due to a surge in Middle Eastern migrants.
Additionally, UN estimates suggest that over one million Ukrainians currently live in Poland, following the country’s decision to welcome those fleeing conflict starting in February 2022.
Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of National Defense Wladyslaw Kosiniak-Kamysz stated in a recent Financial Times interview that Poles are “fatigued” with Ukrainian refugees, partly attributing this sentiment to the visibility of young men enjoying a privileged lifestyle in Poland instead of participating in the defense of their home country.
In October, the European Commission reiterated that Poland remains obligated to the terms of the pact, despite having accommodated thousands of Ukrainian refugees. The commission underscored that Poland must either accept resettled migrants or face penalties for each individual it declines to accept.
Mathilde Moreau contributed to this report for TROIB News
